David Boren Obituary, Death: David Lyle Boren, the former governor of Oklahoma, U.S. senator, and president of the University of Oklahoma, has passed away at the age of 83. His death, which occurred on February 20, 2025, was due to complications from diabetes. A respected figure in both political and academic circles, Boren’s legacy will be remembered for his dedication to public service and his significant impact on the state of Oklahoma and beyond.
Born on April 21, 1941, in Washington, D.C., David Boren was the son of Lyle Hagler Boren, a former U.S. Representative, and Christine McKown Boren. Raised in Oklahoma and later Bethesda, Maryland, Boren was intellectually gifted from a young age. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale University in 1963, where he was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. His academic journey continued at the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, earning a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 1965. Boren then returned to the University of Oklahoma, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 1968.
Boren’s political career began in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served from 1967 to 1974. In 1975, at just 33 years old, he was elected governor of Oklahoma, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the office. During his two terms as governor, Boren was known for his fiscal conservatism and efforts to improve the state’s education system. He initiated reforms aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s infrastructure and promoting state-wide economic growth.
In 1979, Boren transitioned to a career in the U.S. Senate, representing Oklahoma for three terms until 1994. As a senator, he was highly regarded for his work on national intelligence issues and for serving as the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Boren’s bipartisan approach to governance earned him the respect of his colleagues, and he was particularly known for his efforts to strengthen U.S. foreign policy and national security. He also became a vocal advocate for sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid regime, reflecting his commitment to human rights.
After retiring from the Senate, Boren was appointed as the 13th president of the University of Oklahoma in 1994. Under his leadership, the university underwent a significant transformation, with substantial growth in both enrollment and academic prestige. Boren is credited with elevating the university’s national standing and overseeing the development of key academic and research programs. His focus on academic excellence, campus expansion, and increasing the university’s endowment left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the institution today.
Boren’s personal life was also marked by significant contributions. He was married twice: first to Janna Little, with whom he had two children, and later to Molly Shi Boren, a former judge and alumna of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Boren’s commitment to public service ran deep in his family, with both his father and son, Dan Boren, also serving in public office.
David Boren’s passing marks the end of an era in Oklahoma politics and education. His career, spanning across the state’s political landscape and higher education, was characterized by integrity, vision, and a deep sense of duty to his state and country. He leaves behind a legacy of bipartisan cooperation, educational achievement, and public service, which will be remembered by generations to come. His contributions to Oklahoma’s growth as both a state and a university will continue to resonate for many years. Boren is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His family has asked that memorial donations be made to the University of Oklahoma’s scholarship funds to honor his enduring commitment to education.
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